Media Release: United Prison Movement, Meeting and Hunger Strike.

Media Release:

Re: United Prison Movement, Meeting and Hunger Strike.

Umar Abdullah for the United Prison Movement: Interview With PSA TV - 2nd October 2019
https://youtu.be/O2FqWvbfSZo

United Prison Movement held its second meeting at The Mandela Hall, Centre of Excellence, 17A Macoya Road, Tunapuna on Wednesday 2nd October 2019. We covered a number of pertinent issues facing the prison, the prisoners and their families. Present at the meeting were family and friends of both remanded and convicted inmates, Attorney at Law Fareed Ali, Deputy Commissioner of Prisons, Mohammed and his entourage and His Worship, Magistrate Nikolas Ali.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/ZdjXWtBYbzDiz69NA
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWAemDoyNEW6SpCriTUkuOdwYO6cyYemT

On a separate note, contrary to a report in the Guardian by RAD­HI­CA DE SIL­VA, dated Sunday 6th October 2019. The United Prison Movement was the body responsible for the immediate end to the the five day Hunger Strike and not the prison authorities as was alluded to in the article.

For Immediate Release:
Date: October 7th, 2019

Umar Abdullah
Head of United Prison Movement and Waajihatul Islaamiyyah (The Islamic Front)
Tel: +18683656253 or +18687870765

Media Release: Questions as to Why Government is Condoning Outrageous Acts Against Prisoners.

Media Release:

Re: Questions as to Why Government is Condoning Outrageous Acts Against Prisoners.

Waajihatul Islaamiyyah (The Islamic Front) is again re-iterating it’s call to the Citizenry to distance themselves from the PNM and turn support away on the ground from the PNM as campaigning is ongoing for Local Government elections. This; on the premise that this present administration continues to turn a blind eye and condone the actions of Commissioner of Prisons; Gerald Wilson, under his "NEW BOSS" Gary Griffith, in carrying out outrageous acts against prisoners and sitting on it as if nothing has ever happened.

Waajihatul Islaamiyyah (The Islamic Front) is calling on the commissioner to answer why Arabic books are not accepted in the prison and why the two (2) Muslim inmates Roget Boucher and Sheldon Reid are continuing to be housed at the dungeon, that is Building 13 or should it be referred to as the "Muslim Dungeon"? Because this building is the preferred choice by the state and by extension the commissioner and his associates when they feel to maliciously punish Muslims.  Michael Finley, Olatunji Denbow, Darryl Bissoon, Brent Johnson and Stephon Whitehall are the other inmates who are being maliciously punished. All are Muslims with the exception of Darryl Bissoon and Stephon Whitehall.

Waajihatul Islaamiyyah (The Islamic Front) is questioning whether or not fair play was involved in the selection process or was it a clear case of nepotism on the part of the prison commissioner in hiring the head the High-risk management unit. A question to the commissioner and to all investigative journalists in this country; who is this person who heads this unit? What is his track record? Where any charges brought against him?

Further, Waajihatul Islaamiyyah (The Islamic Front) is calling on the National Security Minister and by extension the Prime Minister to investigate whether the Prison commissioner has become "politically exposed" based on the relationship he shares with a certain ex high ranking international official. If this is, in fact, true, it puts him at risk for potential involvement in bribery and corruption by virtue of his position and the influence that he holds.

In light of all this Waajihatul Islaamiyyah (The Islamic Front) is calling on all investigative journalists in this country to dig deeper into the real operations of prison Commissioner Gerald Wilson and his associates. Whether or not they are creating monsters and boogiemen, further contributing to violent crimes or putting a dent into our crime splurge.

For Immediate Release:
Date: August., 27th 2019

Umar Abdullah
Head of Waajihatul Islaamiyyah (The Islamic Front)
Tel: +18687870765/+18683656253

Media Release: Jamaats condemns killing of Slain Superintendent of Prison- Wayne Jackson.

Media Release:

*Re: Jamaats condemns killing of Slain Superintendent of Prison- Wayne Jackson.*

In light of the killing of Superintendent of Prisons for the Maximum Security Prison (MSP) in Arouca; Wayne Jackson the jamaats of Masjid Alaa Al-Jabal of Calvary Hill, Arima,  Masjid Al-Muwahideen of Plantation, Valencia , Masjid Al Falah of Arima and Masjid Al Islamia Jamma of Carapo, Arima along with Waajihatul Islaamiyyah (The Islamic Front) are extending condolences to the family, friends and peers of Mr. Jackson and, are wholly condemning this heinous act committed on the life of the innocent prison Superintendent.

Mr. Jackson was brutally murdered while entering his Malabar residence on Tuesday 02nd October, 2018.  As a result the 4 Jamaats and Waajihatul Islaamiyyah are working together to ensure that the perpetrator/s of this heinous act is found, and is committing to working with the investigators into this case in determining leads for the case and ultimately, bringing justice to the family of Mr. Jackson.

Further, the Jamaats of Alaa al Jabal, Muwahideen, Al Falah and Al Islamia believes this crime was the act of the misguided and someone who is oblivious that this action will only seek to sully the reputation of the 4 Jamaats and its respective communities. It should be noted that, the Imam of Al Islamia Jamma Masjid in Carapo, Hassan Ali on a personal level knew Superintendent Jackson, and described him as “helpful to Muslim inmates” and is deeply shocked by this tragic ordeal.

Additionally, we are of the collective opinion that this is also an attempt by the mischievous  few to undermine the good work of Acting Commissioner Gerard Wilson who is on vacation, and his latest reformative and enhancement measures which has been recently implemented at the nations prisons; one being the popular and well subscribed; Futsal.

Again, we collectively denounce this heinous violent crime and welcomes any meeting with those in authority to bring some redress to the situation. It should also be noted, that the attempts to sully the good work of the Acting Prisons Commissioner Gerard Wilson and his good relationship with the Muslim community seems to be further undermined by those in the media with their staged “insiders and sources” who continue to publish reports which are false in nature or highly exaggerated.

This we believe, is all a ploy to provoke the situation and perhaps the Muslim community, however, we see these stunts as political tricks. And we allude to an article published in the Sunday Guardian of October 7th by Renuka Singh which gives fake news into a search at MSP and the details into that search, based on our investigations we realize this is fake news, full of half truths perhaps initiated by the same persons intent on undermining the acting Commissioner Wilson and those with an agenda and misguidance.

In closing the Jamaats of Alaa al Jabal, Muwahideen, Al Falah and Al Islamia are condemning this crime and all violent attacks on prison officers. Together, with the Waajihatul Islaamiyyah we are extending a meeting with those in authority to clarify and assist in this particular case as well as to show our support to the good work being done by Acting Commissioner of Prisons, Gerard Wilson.

"O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm in justice, witnesses for Allah, even if it be against yourselves or parents and relatives. Whether one is rich or poor, Allah is more worthy of both. So follow not [personal] inclination, lest you not be just. And if you distort [your testimony] or refuse [to give it], then indeed Allah is ever, with what you do, Acquainted." (Qur'an Chapter 4, Verse 135)

For Immediate Release:
Date:  Monday 08th October, 2018

Masjid Alaa Al-Jabal of Calvary Hill, Arima

Masjid Al-Muwahideen of Plantation, Valencia

Masjid Al Falah of Arima

Masjid Al Islamia Jamma of Carapo, Arima

Waajihatul Islaamiyyah (The Islamic Front)
Tel: +18687870765 or +18683656253